Nerdy Derby is a Maker Faire favorite! The Nerdy Derby group has offered hands-on racing for Faire-goers in cities including New York, Austin, Orlando, and Oakland, and holding a Nerdy Derby has become a go-to program for Maker Spaces all over.

This Nerdy Derby-style car project is based on Nerdy Derby’s Bristol Paper Car, and includes images from their instructions. Their car template is available for download here. Learn more about Nerdy Derby here.

Parts

Wheels (washers) (4)Nerdy Derby uses circular metal washers for the wheels, but you can mod your car with wheels made of found objects such as smooth bottle caps.

Wheels (washers) (4)Nerdy Derby uses circular metal washers for the wheels, but you can mod your car with wheels made of found objects such as smooth bottle caps.

Axle (rod), 1" wider than your car body (2)The axle's diameter has to fit with the wheels (washers) and axle holder (tube). Nerdy Derby uses metal binder posts, but you can improvise with other metal, wood, or plastic rods.

Axle (rod), 1" wider than your car body (2)The axle's diameter has to fit with the wheels (washers) and axle holder (tube). Nerdy Derby uses metal binder posts, but you can improvise with other metal, wood, or plastic rods.

Axle holder (4)We used little pieces of brass rod, and Nerdy Derby uses metal grommets. You can use any short, cylindrical pieces - even bits of drinking straws work in a pinch. The axle needs to spin freely in the axle holder.

Axle holder (4)We used little pieces of brass rod, and Nerdy Derby uses metal grommets. You can use any short, cylindrical pieces - even bits of drinking straws work in a pinch. The axle needs to spin freely in the axle holder.

Tools

Hobby knife or scissors Scissors work on Bristol Board, but hobby knives work best.